Method for Determining Foam When Treating Laundry Items and Laundry Care Machine for Carrying Out the Same

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention discloses a method and system for determining the amount of foam generated during laundry treatment in a washing machine. It uses sensors to collect operational data and a virtual sensor (utilizing machine learning and neural networks) in the control unit to continuously quantify the foam present in the washing drum. This measurement can be expressed in terms of foam height or volume and is used to optimize washing machine operation in real-time, such as adjusting water levels, temperature, drum speed, or detergent/foam inhibitor dosing. The system can also forecast future foam levels during a wash cycle.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Home and commercial washing machines optimizing wash cycles to prevent excess foam buildup.
• Washer-dryer units adjusting settings dynamically to various fabric loads and detergents.
• Industrial laundry services monitoring foam to improve machine uptime and garment care.
• Any washing system needing automated foam management to prevent process interruption or malfunction.
• Retrofit kits for legacy laundry machines to enhance operational efficiency via smart foam monitoring.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides quantitative, real-time measurement of foam levels without direct or invasive sensors inside the drum.
• Enables dynamic control for more efficient, reliable, and fabric-safe laundry processes.
• Reduces risk of wash cycle failures or extended times due to excessive foam.
• Optimizes detergent use and rinsing steps, potentially saving water, energy, and detergent.
• Enhances user experience by providing actionable feedback and status updates.
• Incorporates machine learning and neural networks for precise modeling and forecasting under diverse conditions.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining foam during the treatment of laundry items by means of a liquid in a laundry care machine, comprising: a housing and a lye container arranged therein for receiving the liquid; a drum arranged in the lye container, the sensor continuously sensing operational data of the laundry care machine and supplying it to a control device connected to the sensor for controlling the laundry care machine according to the operational data, the control device determining foam based on the operational data. In the method, the control device comprises a virtual sensor to which operating data is continuously supplied, and the virtual sensor continuously ascertains a measure for the foam present in the lye container on the basis of the supplied operating data. The invention also relates to a laundry care machine configured to carry out such a method.